News has changed from newspapers to TV and now to the internet. But the stories are often the same: politics, problems in society, money, and unfortunate things like crimes and accidents.
A lot of these sad events happen on the road. And as more and more cars are on the road, there are more accidents and bad driving. This blog talks about the number of these accidents and how to make driving safer for everyone.
How often do car accidents occur?
Car accidents are one of the main reasons people get hurt or die in North America. In the United States, there are about 7.3 million vehicle accidents every year. That’s about 19,937 accidents every day. In Canada, four people die and 175 get hurt every day because of drunk driving. These accidents happen a lot.
But we also need to know why these accidents happen. Speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving are the big reasons.
Identifying the Causes of Vehicle Incidents
– Speeding makes accidents more likely, and many fatal accidents happen because of it. 29% of all fatal accidents are caused by speeding..
– Drunk or drugged drivers cause about 10,500 deaths every year in the U.S. This is about one-third of all car accident deaths. In Canada, young drivers aged 16-24 are often drunk drivers in fatal accidents. About 30% of them were speeding, and many didn’t wear seatbelts.
– Distracted driving is when people do things that take their attention away from driving. Like using a phone, eating, or talking to people in the car.
Every year, about 3,000 people die because of distracted driving in the U.S. This is 8-9% of all deadly car accidents. In Canada, phones cause about 1.6 million car accidents every year.
Beyond Accidents: Other Factors Conducive to Road Hazards
Crime
It’s not just accidents causing problems. There are more crimes happening on the road, like stealing cars or breaking things. In the U.S., there are 268 car thefts for every 100,000 people, which is about 932,000 thefts. In Canada, a car gets stolen every 6 minutes, and the number of thefts in Toronto has gone up a lot.
Catalytic Converters:
People are stealing catalytic converters from cars more and more. In Canada, the number of converter thefts has gone up by 1,710% since 2018. There was a 60% increase from 2021 to 2022. Fixing a stolen converter costs about $2,900 (CAD). It’s important to protect your car when parked. You can use things to stop thieves, or get a Dash Cam with Parking Mode.
Hit-and-Run:
Hit-and-Run accidents are also a big problem. In the U.S., about 70,000 people get hit by cars every year. 1 in 3 people who get hit by cars going 25 mph get very hurt. 1 in 10 people hit by cars going 35 mph die. The AAA Foundation says there are about 737,100 hit-and-run crashes every year. That’s one every 43 seconds.
Road Rage:
We all get mad when we drive sometimes because of traffic or other drivers. But some people get very mad and do bad things – that’s called road rage. It happens a lot. 45.4% of road rage is people honking their horns a lot. 38.9% is people making mean hand signs.
How to Stay Safe
Mitigating the risk of road incidents demands vigilance, patience, and responsible driving. Adhering to traffic regulations, keeping a safe following distance, and avoiding distractions are key in reducing accident probabilities. Maintaining composure and yielding to reckless drivers can further enhance safety. Complementing these personal measures, the support of driving safety aids, such as dashboard camera and wireless adapters to minimize distractions, is invaluable.
The Role of Dash Cams in Preventing Vehicle Incidents
Dash cams provide an added level of security, benefiting not just the driver but everyone on the road. They function as silent companions, recording live footage that not only promotes driver responsibility but also serves as crucial evidence in the aftermath of an incident. Cameras for cars offer versatility, capturing the road ahead, monitoring rear traffic for tailgating issues, and even recording the interior of the vehicle—a valuable feature for ride-sharing users and fleet management.
Modern dash cameras, equipped with AI features, play a proactive role in aiding drivers to make sound decisions and steer clear of potential road hazards. These cameras for cars offer real-time feedback, including collision warnings and lane departure alerts, which actively contribute to minimizing distractions and maintaining focus. Additionally, the inclusion of features like Parking Mode ensures 24/7 vehicle security, even when you’re not in your car, providing an extra layer of peace of mind.
Dash cams prove invaluable beyond accident prevention, serving as a critical tool in post-incident situations. In hit-and-run cases, cameras for cars recordings capture crucial information like license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and the sequence of events. This data aids law enforcement in identifying and apprehending the responsible parties. Particularly when you’re not at fault and need to demonstrate it to authorities, dash cam footage can streamline the process, saving you time, money, and potentially reducing insurance costs related to damages.
Conclusion
As vehicle incidents persistently increase, so do the available solutions for safeguarding ourselves on the road. Dash cams represent a valuable investment in your safety, and contrary to common misconceptions, they need not break the bank. If you’re seeking assistance in selecting the ideal dash cam to suit your specific requirements, Vezo 360 is here to guide you. Our dash cam designed to shield you from becoming a part of the unfortunate statistics and headlines, all while contributing to a safer road environment for you and the entire driving community.
